RSV is Over!

I got the call yesterday that I have been waiting for patiently! RSV season is officially over here in Austin, TX. This is huge for our family as RSV was the main reason Juliet was house bound. We are now allowed to slowly start bringing her out of the house and around other people. (Given they are healthy) She made her first trip last night to our community group with our church. These are people who have been in prayer over her since the day we announced we were pregnant. It is such a joy to finally be able to introduce her to everyone who has loved on us and prayed so hard for her. I was talking to a dear friend at church the day she was coming home about the time I could finally introduce her to everyone. I know my daughter is a miracle. But to hear someone else say how much they were looking forward to seeing her and touching her, because it will be touching a miracle: that is so humbling. It makes my heart rejoice to know that others see her for the gift she is. I am beyond excited to finally share more than just pictures. Thank you Lord for providing health and safety for our little peanut. We praise you for your faithfulness and love in our lives!

ST. Patrick's Day

Our first holiday at home! I am so excited to finally celebrate a holiday at home with our little peanut. (And icing on the cake: It's my favorite holiday!) So I hope everyone enjoyed their St. Patrick's Day! I know it will be one I never forget!

Dear NICU

Dear NICU
Where do I begin? You have been part of my life for the past 4 months, and now it is over. I will admit  i hated you at first! I didn't want to be there, but I knew if I couldn't take care of my babies, they were better off with you. I hated the wheelchair ride from my room to you. I hated having to scrub in every time. I hated that I could not hold my babies. But I soon realized you were a friend. A shoulder to cry on when things went bad, and a smile to share when things went well. I began to know you. Each and every one of you. From nurses, to doctors, to RT, OT, and ST and of course the front desk clerks. I knew you all by name, and by the time we left, I could pick our each of your voices in a crowd.
To the Doctors:
Thank you! I could not have asked for a better group of professionals taking care of my children. From Dr. Breed and Dr. Sue who came and talked to my husband and I while I was on bed rest.  To Dr. Kinstra, who delivered my precious babies. To all doctors who watched Juliet grow and encouraged her and us. To Dr. Wheatly who was there the day we came home. To Dr. McCormick who was there when we said goodbye to Jacob. Thank you all! I look back and cannot imagine what our journey would have been like had you all not played a part in it. You will always be a part of Juliet's story, and I truly thank you all so very much for caring for my babies when I was not able.

To the RTs, OTs, and STs:
You all are so important to me! Thank you for keeping her oxygen at the right level and helping get her switched over from one machine to the next. I still remember the first picture I got of Juliet without anything on her face was when you were all working to change her from CPAP to cannula. It was just a brief moment in time, but it gave me hope of what would be coming one day when she was no longer hooked up to anything. To Lisa for all the therapy you did with her every week. Helping her develop those muscles that she was not able to before. Helping her get stronger so she could one day come home. To Tahra, for working so hard with me and Juliet to get her eating! Knowing when to push her, and when to pull back. Keeping her from falling off that side of bottle aversion  (She is eating like a champ now, by the way!) Thank you! I look back and I am so glad I formed friendships with each and every one of you!
To the front desk clerks:
Thank you all for the wonderful conversations while I waited to wash in. Thank you for keeping an eye out on me and making sure I was eating and sleeping. It is weird to not see you every day. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me, and being a part of our journey.
To the Nurses:

 Just thinking about writing this is bringing tears to my eyes. You are family to me now. You took care of my babies when I was not able to. You saved Juliet's life numerous times. I remember the first time I touched my son was because Heidi told me I needed to touch him, for him and me. I remember looking in Amy's eyes the day we said goodbye to Jacob, and seeing the pain in my eyes echoed in yours. I remember seeing the joy in Priscilla's eyes the day Juliet came off the cannula. I remember countless days talking to Tara and Lucy and Amy and Priscilla as I sat and held my baby girl. And then there was Christmas Eve when Bonnie helped me get pictures of her in her stocking. To Gladys, for having the perfect hold! She is not just my daughter, she is your child too! I saw how much you all cared for her, and us. I thank you from my soul, for what you did for me and my family. Encouraging us, sharing in our excitement, and our sorrow. Thank you for being Juliet's advocate when I was not able to be there. Thank you for the late nights when you bathed her, and held her tight. Thank you for feeding her, and changing her diapers. Those things that are a mothers job. Thank you! She will know how much you all mean to me. I tell her daily how awesome you all are! I look forward to a day when she can meet you again, and get to know you all. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I cannot said it enough! I love you all and please keep in touch! -Shelly (Mama Phillips)

Happy 4 Months Jake and Juju

Today the twins are four months old! I cannot believe how fast time has gone by. We are so thrilled to have Juliet home to share this day with her outside of the hospital. Months 1-3 were scary, heartbreaking, but also exciting. We know month 4 will bring many more blessings as Juliet continues to improve and show us her personality. It will also be heartbreaking. As we watch our daughter hit milestones, we will always long for her brother to be here with us. There are so many milestones we missed with Jacob, but watching Juliet thrive will always be a reminder of what her big brother did for her. He many not be here physically, but we will always remember our little fighter. He will be watching over his sister always. We miss you angle!

119 Days Later

Juliet is home! One hundred nineteen days after a scary delivery, we finally brought our little miracle home. Sunday was a wonderful day with lots of new beginning. First time she was outside, first time to ride in a car, first time seeing our house, and the first time she met her brothers and sister. But there were a lot of lasts too. The last time I sat and fed her in that chair by her bed. The last time I watched her monitors as they reassured me she was finally ok. The last time I scrubbed up, and walked past all those beds with babies. The final goodbyes from doctors, nurses, RT and fellow NICU moms. Juliet is adjusting well to the crazy life away from the hospital. We have waited for this day, and now that it is here, I cannot believe it. God has answered so many prayers throughout this journey, and is proving himself faithful every day. I know Juliet testimony will be a glorious one. But for now, we are just glad to have our baby girl home with us. Now the real work begins....

Grandpa

Three years ago, on February 28th, heaven gained a father, grandfather, husband and friend. He taught my husband, Brett what it meant to be loyal and loving. He taught Brett to work hard for what you want, and to use his mind in everything he did. He taught him to protect his family, and be a source of comfort and strength when someone needed him. He sacrificed for his family, and never put himself first. And I know when Jacob got to heavens gates, he was greeted by that man and "well done Son" I know my father in law is proud of my son, for Jacob's sole purpose here was a selfless one. He was called to bring is sister here to us. Today, I can see him sitting up there telling Jacob stories of his mom and dad. Enjoying time together as they patiently wait for us to join them. I miss my father-in-law, and I miss my son, but knowing they are together and waiting for me is a wonderful feeling. I will join them one day, in a place where there is no pain. Joining in Praise to the God of all! But until then, I ache. I cry for the loss I feel in my heart. Thank you Dad for raising the man who I could not get through this crazy life without. I am forever thankful. Enjoy time with your grandson, and I will see you again some day.

Two Months Down...

I cannot believe we will be celebrating two months tomorrow! It seems like just yesterday I was being admitted to the hospital for bed rest. This past month has been one of great progress for our little Juliet. On Christmas Day, she gave us a wonderful present of officially doubling her birth weight! This is huge, even though it only put her at a little over 3 pounds.

Santa came to see her as well!

Grandma Phillips also got a chance to hold her for the first time. She has also been doing well on high flow nasal cannula. This is the last breathing machine she will be on. We started with a flow of 5 liters of air per second, and as of today we are down to one liter. Her oxygen requirements are still about 26%, but she has time to work down off of that oxygen.

She started out 2013 with a bang by moving out of the incubator and into an open crib. This means she is now maintaining her own body temperature without the help of a machine. She is being weaned off of her EPO, which was given to her because of a low blood count. She is also getting weaned off of her caffeine, which was helping her brain remember to breath. As her body is slowly taken over things, she is burning more calories so her feeds have increased as well. She is now taking 35mls every three hours, which is slightly more than one ounce. She has passed her eye exams with flying colors. Many premature babies have mild to severe vision problems due to their eyes developing outside of utero. She will probably need glasses in the near future, but at least we are not looking at eye surgery any time soon.

We have introduced a bottle and she is slowly learning to eat on her own. Once she gets that down, she will be coming home! We are expecting it to take at least another 3 weeks and possibly more. Juliet is starting to show a little personality and it is a true joy to watch all her facial expressions. Her nurses and doctors are wonderful and we are all working as a team to provide the best and most consistent care we can for her. She is a little chub now at 4lbs 6oz. Her due date is not too far away now, and we are so excited to begin the next chapter in her story. I pray 2013 will be kind to you all. I know we were excited to say goodbye to 2012 and welcome in 2013 and all the joys it will bring.